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H.R. 4861 116th Congress House

Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act of 2020

Official title: To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk of suicide, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 12, 2020 Introduced by: Gus M. Bilirakis Republican · Florida See on congress.gov
Health Congressional oversightEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee hiringEmployment and training programs
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Health care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsHealth information and medical recordsHealth personnelHealth programs administration and fundingHospital careLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal careMedical educationMental health
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 15 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 30, 2020
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sep 29, 2020
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 443.
Sep 29, 2020
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 29, 2020
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5017)
Sep 29, 2020
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Sep 29, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4861.
Sep 29, 2020
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5017-5019)
Sep 29, 2020
Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 29, 2020
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-543.
Sep 9, 2020
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Sep 9, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 30, 2020
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Oct 29, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Oct 28, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Oct 28, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 30, 2020

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act of 2020

This bill establishes a competitive grant program for up to 40 hospitals with emergency departments and certain on-site professionals to help connect patients in emergency departments who are at risk of suicide with treatment and mental health services. Grants may be used to train emergency department providers and establish certain policies and procedures related to the identification, assessment, and treatment of, and care coordination for, individuals who are at risk of suicide. In awarding the grants, the Department of Health and Human Services may give preference to specified types of hospitals, such as critical access hospitals and hospitals in areas with suicide rates higher than the national average.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4861: Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4861/
MLA
"H.R. 4861: Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4861/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4861, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4861/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4861: Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4861/)
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